Respecting Bundjalung Country while you're in Byron this spring

Byron Bay sits on Bundjalung Country. Most of us pass through for a few weeks or months, and it's easy to treat the place as a backdrop for the trip. This week, with warmer days and more people heading to the beach and the bush, we thought it was worth a short note on how to be a decent guest.

Start with the basics

None of this is complicated. It's mostly the same manners you'd want from visitors in your own hometown.

- Take your rubbish with you, including cigarette butts and the little bits of plastic that blow out of bags. Spring winds pick up and things end up in the dune vegetation fast. - Stay on formed tracks and boardwalks. Dune plants hold the coastline together, and walking through them damages them. - Don't take shells, rocks, plants or anything else from the bush or beach as souvenirs. - Keep noise down at lookouts and on walking tracks. Many people use these places for quiet time, and for some they carry deeper meaning. - Follow any signs you see about closed areas or cultural sites. If a sign asks you to keep out, keep out.

Learn the place, not just the postcard

It's one thing to know Byron is Bundjalung Country, and another to understand what that means. The best way we know is to hear it from people who live it, rather than from a blog post written by us. Our team is not the right source for Aboriginal cultural knowledge, and we'd rather point you to someone who is.

One option listed on our site is Explore Byron Bay (Aunty Delta Kay), which is a cultural tour operator. We haven't made claims about what the tour includes here, because details change. Check the operator's own website for what's on offer, how to book, and what it costs. Go with an open mind and listen more than you talk.

Ask questions respectfully

If you do join a cultural tour or talk with local people, remember that you're a guest. Ask questions because you're curious, not to test anyone. Don't photograph people or ceremonies without asking first. If someone says no or declines to answer, that's the end of it.

Be careful with the language you use

It's good practice to use place names and terms the way local people use them, and to avoid joking about Aboriginal culture or treating it as a mystical add-on to a Byron holiday. If you're not sure about something, ask or leave it out.

Fitting it into a budget trip

You don't need to spend a lot to be respectful. Most of it costs nothing: picking up litter, staying on the track, being quiet and paying attention. If you have a spare half day, a cultural tour is a better use of the money than another round of drinks. If you're short on cash, you can still read, listen and observe while you're out walking.

A last word

You'll meet plenty of travellers here who've been in Byron a week and talk like experts. Don't be one of them. Stay curious, be patient, and remember that the people who've looked after this land for a very long time are still here.

For other things to do around town, browse our things to do page. As always, check each operator's own website for current details before you book.